South Australia’s Scotson brothers claimed the time trial quinella in the under 23 final at the 2016 MARS Cycling Australia Road National Championships in Buninyong on Thursday.

A visibly exhausted Callum averaged 46.7km/hour across the 29.3km course to stop the clock in 37mins 39.64secs, 20 seconds ahead of elder brother and defending champion Miles (38:00.43).  West Australian Ben O’Connor (38:52.08) took bronze. Full Results

“It was a perfect race,” said Callum. “Coming across the line I knew what sort of time my brother did to win it last year and I could see that I was just under and I was just really stoked.

“My emotions are starting to come out now but for the first 10 minutes I was just like ‘Ah this can’t be happening!"

35 riders took to the lumpy out-and-back course in cool and windy conditions, with Callum, the six last rider to set out on the course.

After posting a blistering sub-38 minute time, Callum was forced to endure a nervous wait in the hot seat as the final five riders tried in vain to surpass his leading time. 
 

“I’ve got a year of training under my legs, I’ve finished school and have been full time for this last year,” said Callum, who bettered his time from 2015 on the same course by two minutes.  “I think the preparation for it, really training up and that mindset you can see the ones who really work towards the road nationals. I think it really brings something special out in your mental focus.

Scotson also revealed recent training with his brother aided in his victory.

“I think we both like to see each other do well and I mean leading up to this we actually trained together a fair bit,” he revealed.  “We just both focus on, like, I wanted to win but I personally thought he was going to beat me but I think we don’t really let the competition come between us at all.”

Miles was disappointed to relinquish his crown, however he was happy it was his brother who took it from him.

“I’m sure he would have loved the double but if there was going to be somebody to knock you off you wouldn’t mind it being your brother,” said Scotson.

“I’m really happy, two brothers going first and second. We don’t often train together that much, but we did in the last week. As I crossed over the line, they said “Callum Scotson has won” so it was a really good moment, I was so happy and he’s done a world class rise.”

The Under 23 men now turn their attention to the 132.6km road race on Saturday, which will commence after the inaugural Australian Gran Fondo Championships.